Shoe-stretcher.



Patented l'uly ls, |899.

(Applimion ned Feb. 24. 1899.)

`No Nadel.)

diz/70773695.

UNITED STATES PATENT l OFFIC.

REINIIOLD J. REIM, OF IIOUGHTON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ON E-IIALF TO Y EDWARD F. SILLER, OF SAME PLACE.

SHOEfSTRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 629,207, dated July 18, 1899. Application iiled February 24, 1899. Serial No. 706698. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom, it wila/y concern:

Be it known that I, REINHOLD J. REIM, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Houghton, in the county of Houghton and State of Michigan, have invented certain newand useful Improvementsin Shoe-Stretchn ers, of which the following is a' specification.

This invention relates to shoe-stretchers, and it is more particularly adapted to stretch that portionof the shoe known as the toe and tip seam.

The object of this invention is to provide a shoe-stretcher which is exceedingly cheap and simple in its construction, reliable' and convenient in use, one that .can be easily and quickly applied, and will eiiiciently perform all of its intended functions.

With these objects in view and such others as may appear my invention consists in the particular construction of the various parts and in the novel manner of combination or arrangement of the said parts, all of which will be hereinafter described, and specifically pointed out in the claims.-

In the drawings forming a part of this speciiication, Figure l is a sectional view illustrating the device in the stretchin g position. Fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the device in the position when ready to be applied. Figs. 3 and 4. are detail views.

Referring by letters to the drawings, A represents the body of the device, which is substantially the same shape as the ordinary shoer last with the exception of the top portion B, which is flat. Approximately near the rear end of the body on the flat portion B is secured a wire frame C, supporting a metal block D, which is pivotally mounted thereon and is provided with an aperture E, having internal screw-threads F, adapted to take a threaded rod G, which-is made to traverse therein by the handle'H. The end of the rod engages an angular recess I Vin the portion J which is formed to tit the toe of a shoe andis provided with a cap K, which serves as a bearing. A steel'clutch L is pivotally secured by one end in the recess M in the portion J and is also pivotally secured at the other end in the aperture N in the body A. This clutch is pro-y vided at its lower end with a curved jaw O, having a series of teeth P, adapted to bite into the sole of a shoe.

In operating my device the same is placed i in a shoe and the handle H operated so as to cause the rod G to travel forward in the block 5 5 D, thus raising the portion J on the clutch L, the teeth on the lower endof which engage the sole of the shoe and prevent the device from slipping backward. By reversing the operation of the handle the device may be 6o readily removed.

It will thus be seen that I provide a device for stretching shoes which is easily operated and one that will be readily understood by all eonversant in such matters.

Having thus described the various features of my invention, what I claim as new, and desireto secure` by` Letters Patent, is

1. In a shoe-stretcher, a last-shaped portion and a top portion pivotally connected to a 7o clutch, a wire frame secured to the last-shaped portion having al block pivotally mounted thereon, the said block having a, threaded aperture, a threaded rod j ournaled in said top portion and adapted to traverse in said block, 7 5 a handle for operating the said rod, su bstantially as shown and described.

2. In aqshoe-stretcher having a substantially last-shaped body, a wire frame secured to the rear end thereof supporting a block provided 8o with a. threadedv aperture, a threaded rod adapted to traverse in said aperture, a handle for operating said rod, a topportion hav-- ing pivotally secured therein a clutch, the said clutch pivoted in an aperture in the said 85 body, the lower Yend of the clutch being provided with teeth, the said top portion and clutch adapted to be operated by the said rod, substantially as shown and described.

, 3. In a shoe-stretcher a last-shaped portion 9o having'an aperture with a clutch pivotally secured therein, the said clutch provided with a curved jaw having a series of teeth, a top portion pivotally securedk to the said clutch,

a wire frame secured to the last-shaped por4 95 tionV having a block` pivotally mounted thereon, the said block having a threaded aperture,

athreaded rod adapted to traverse in said REINHOLD J. BEIM.

Vitnesses: A

J. G. BERTRAND, A. W. SILLER. 

